Grevillea Growing Guide
Caring for Grevillea
Despite being part of the protea family and originating from Australia several of these evergreen shrub species are perfectly hardy in most southerly UK gardens where they will readily tolerate frost if the wood is hardened off by a dry summer.
The toughest two species which are widely grown are G. juniperina and G. rosmarinifolia. G. lanigera ‘Mount Tamboritha’, which is dwarf growing rather than a shrub, has certainly also proved itself in many parts of the country.
One of the most endearing qualities of grevilleas is that they produce odd flowers almost right through the year. The rosy-red flowers of G. rosmarinifolia can surprise you in late autumn and again in spring and summer. G. juniperina f. sulphurea throws out yellow flowers from spring to mid summer with plenty of odd ones in between. There are certainly times in spring and summer when they are at their best and in full flower but these moments are happily irregular and unpredictable.
Grevillea prefer acid to neutral soil in full sun. They will grow well in poor soil but, as you would expect, they detest being damp and waterlogged so an upraised bed or rockery may be preferable to the shrub border providing you have room as these are wide spreading shrubs. They may not readily grow above 3ft in height but their spread can be greater if not checked by pruning.
In the main pruning should be unnecessary. Propagation from semi ripe cuttings is easiest in mid summer with bottom heat.
Grevillea are trouble free from pests and diseases outdoors. In the greenhouse they can succumb to red spider mite and mealy bug attacks. If so put them outside in their pots for the summer season.
Plants
